Responsible and transformative innovation for sustainable societies : fundamental and applied research

The AG focused on providing advice on strategy, objectives and research priorities, thereby contributing to a vision of environmental research and where efforts at the European level can add value. The advice is grounded in scientific knowledge as well as our understanding of policy and socio-economic needs. The AG started its work in the context of the economic crisis of 2008-2009 and was keen to identify contributions of environmental research that could help to resolve the crisis. At the same time, it was also motivated by longer-term issues of societal transformation. In the second period of its work (2010) the longer-term issues, especially the innovation agenda of the European Union, took centre stage. The questions addressed by the Advisory Group included the following : How can we improve the relevance of research for innovation and other objectives of Europe 2020 ? What are the priority research areas ? Between December 2009 and October 2010, the Advisory Group met six times. Meetings included presentations by distinguished experts and officials, as well as brainstorming sessions on the following topics : climate services and Ecosystems services, participation of New Member States and regional considerations within the Environment theme, the environment and cultural heritage, interconnections between science and policy. A significant proportion of the AG's time was devoted to discussing the content of this report. Written submissions from individual AG members were requested and have been incorporated in the text. Part 1 addresses general considerations and advice to the Commission ; part 2 provides advice on specific research areas. The report summarises the deliberations of the Advisory Group